Starting an independent music label with your mates might seem like an unattainable pipe dream, but for Hamish Gibson-Smith the pathway to creating Swirl Records came easier than expected.

“Swirl Records began as a comical, rebellious and disorganised platform for our musically talented friends to present their trade. Our Swirl Presents nights at the Colonel Light Hotel and the Hotel Metro were events which the younger alternative music crowd could get around it. It was a place to meet people and get a little wild on some watered down Pale Ale!” he jokes.

Devised alongside local musicians Tom Matheson, Angus Clarke and Gerry Bain, Swirl Records are an upstart DIY label who promote and present live and recorded music throughout Adelaide and Australia. Their signed bands include ​grunge inspired and Triple J featured Siamese, chaotic punk outfit ​Goon Wizarrd ​as well as 60’s prog freakout merchants ​Druid Fluids​ and ​Somnium.

Swirl Records were recently approached by Pitchfork Music lauded Melbourne band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard late last year to curate a stage at the Thebarton Theatre – the appropriately titled Gizzfest.

“Our label has grown in the last year in a multitude of different ways, we now curate nights at many different venues across Adelaide which have older crowds and more experienced music lovers. Venues like The Exeter and The Crown and Anchor are commonplace for Swirl Records shows… we’re also finding that we’re being approached by venues, businesses, bands and music industry professionals regarding live music opportunities, recording prospects and business partnerships now.”

Hamish is particularly involved with the event management of Swirl Fest, an annual celebration of Adelaide’s emerging and established acts with a focus on the underground garage and psychotropic persuasions of music. In its inaugural year Swirl Fest featured sets from 16 local acts across two stages at The Producers Bar in Adelaide’s East End​. ​The festival saw all four Swirl Records bands play alongside local talent such as ​Slick Arnold, Attila My Honey ​and ​Burnside Mums.

The event was extremely successful, with the all ages festival hosting over 250 music lovers and raising $2000 dollars for Reclink Australia, a charity who support disadvantaged youth in local communities.

“This year the festival will be more streamlined in a certain direction and we’ll probably bring over a few bigger names to draw a crowd and expand our horizons.” he explains.

Studying in the Certificate IV course has focused Hamish towards presenting the label with an innovative and sustainable business model for the national music industry.

“Doing the Certificate IV course has taught me a lot in a short space of time. I’ve learnt about the importance of maintaining an image in which a band, promoter or business presents themselves and it also gives one the tools and guidance to do so. Having a professional outlook on the music industry and a professional outlook on ones self creates a certain validity to what you’re doing and generates work, experience and partnerships.”

“The course also gives you the skills to network with industry people and the opportunity to volunteer and get involved which is not as readily available to everyone and is ultimately invaluable.” he said.

With his Core Project, Hamish ultimately is focused towards making the next Swirl Fest a success.

“This year the festival will be more streamlined in a certain direction and we’ll probably bring over a few bigger names to draw a crowd and expand our horizons. Our philosophy is ‘support ya local’… People who’re interested in seeing live music in Adelaide grow and develop should come down because swirl fest will feature our very favourite local acts from the year.”

For further information on the Swirl Records artist roster, check out their Bandcamp profile by clicking here.